Seat Service vs VAG specialist garage

[ChrisJKM]

Just wondering everyones views on servicing. I have a 64 plate cupra 280 so well out of warranty. Is it worth having a full seat service history over a VAG specialist garage. Will it affect my resale value if it doesnt have a full seat service history. I am trying to weigh up the savings if I move away from seat for servicing. The other option is my father in law is a mechanic and can do the bulk of the work but as he doesnt work for a public garage he cant sign the book so would only be a part service history but with all receipts. ( only paying parts and a few beers) Decisions decisions. What does everyone think? Is it worth the full seat service history?

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[Deleted member 103408]

My personal view has always been to take it to a garage that you trust looks after your car. My experience and what you see a lot on here is that the main dealers don't (but there are always exceptions)

I do not plan to sell my car so its not a consideration for me (as I use my local tuning garage), The question I suspect is what is the difference in resale value for full service (stamps) vs all the invoices and further are you PX or selling private (as a good buyer will be happy to see the invoices for all the work done).

 

[ChrisJKM]

When and if i do sell it will be than likely be private. Thats the thing the father in law is a great mechanic. Always does a good job. If I personally was buying a car I would like to see a bunch of receipts proving work had been done. I know what u mean about main dealers. Only thing he wouldnt do is the dsg oil.

My personal view has always been to take it to a garage that you trust looks after your car. My experience and what you see a lot on here is that the main dealers don't (but there are always exceptions)

I do not plan to sell my car so its not a consideration for me (as I use my local tuning garage), The question I suspect is what is the difference in resale value for full service (stamps) vs all the invoices and further are you PX or selling private (as a good buyer will be happy to see the invoices for all the work done).

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[Maypack]

When and if i do sell it will be than likely be private. Thats the thing the father in law is a great mechanic. Always does a good job. If I personally was buying a car I would like to see a bunch of receipts proving work had been done. I know what u mean about main dealers. Only thing he wouldnt do is the dsg oil.

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Then you answer your question.

Father in Law and receipts for all his work and Dealer invoice for DSG oil work.

 

[Shaady]

If its out if warranty then I would go specialist too.

If and when you sell it, the type of person interested in a car like a 280 will appreciate the work a specialist does over a Seat garage any I think

 

[Tara]

If its out if warranty then I would go specialist too.

If and when you sell it, the type of person interested in a car like a 280 will appreciate the work a specialist does over a Seat garage any I think

That's not true I think from experience, I know a well trusted garage does as good or better than a dealer but if your thinking about resale value then main dealer is always more attractive even though it shouldn't be but you are going to pay that bit more , put it this way that if you are looking for a second hand high performance car and you find 3 the same kinda spec and mileage but 2 have been serviced from a trusted friend from the village and 1 has full Main Dealer stamps all in the book then which one would you buy.

 

[ChrisJKM]

That's not true I think from experience, I know a well trusted garage does as good or better than a dealer but if your thinking about resale value then main dealer is always more attractive even though it shouldn't be but you are going to pay that bit more , put it this way that if you are looking for a second hand high performance car and you find 3 the same kinda spec and mileage but 2 have been serviced from a trusted friend from the village and 1 has full Main Dealer stamps all in the book then which one would you buy.

Yeah its a tough one. I originally only wanted to keep it a couple of years but im edging towards longer now . Need to weigh it all up. The specialist garage for a major sevice and diff oil is only 40 quid cheaper and the dsg oil change is only 1 pound cheaper. Its the other option of parts and a few pints for the in law that is the much cheaper option.

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[Tara]

Yeah its a tough one. I originally only wanted to keep it a couple of years but im edging towards longer now . Need to weigh it all up. The specialist garage for a major sevice and diff oil is only 40 quid cheaper and the dsg oil change is only 1 pound cheaper. Its the other option of parts and a few pints for the in law that is the much cheaper option.

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It's never an easy one and cost pays a big part but which ever way you go at least your looking after it and it will be just as good which ever way you get it serviced but its just other peoples perceptions and the Dealers know that and why they are known as Stealers lol .

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Whilst I agree about the main dealer it can also work in you favor that you have made sure you car is looked after properly. As we have seen on this forum there are many examples of so called main dealers not understanding how these cars should be looked after.

If you have a serious buyer they would look at what has been done vs what needs doing (bearing in mind you are going to advertise with lots of good info) and be happy you are not a boy racer who has just thrashed it. In my personal case I also service more frequently than specified to keep the engine in good condition - all of which you would state in your private sale advert.

 

[Tara]

I totally agree but more people than not are Main Dealer blinkered now unfortunately .

 

[xyz]

I had a 64 plate 280 - initially, I used a stealership - until they tried ripping me off for work that didn’t need doing. Went to my local specialist - cheaper, he looks at things short notice without charging and his guys are VAG trained. Enthusiasts will know that a good specialist is far better than an average dealership. I think VRS are probably good in this respect.


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[Hag]

Resale at a dealer will not be any different if it’s Seat only or a VAG specialist. The purist buying your car I think would be happy with either too as long as it’s full history. Sale-ability would be affected if it has a part history on a 280ps hot hatch


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[Tara]

Resale at a dealer will not be any different if it’s Seat only or a VAG specialist. The purist buying your car I think would be happy with either too as long as it’s full history. Sale-ability would be affected if it has a part history on a 280ps hot hatch


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Main dealers will only resell if it's full main dealer history but an independent garage would sell but I'm just on about Private sale and as much as I don't agree with it if 2 cars are side exactly the same with one with Full Seat History Will be more appealing to more as much as it's wrong and it's only people without it that will say it dosnt matter .

 

[Big Col]

it depends when you are buying and selling.
If buying new and selling on within warranty then the full dealer service history will matter.

Buying at 3yo and selling at 6yo a FDSH wont matter come trade in time. Dealers don't stock 6 year old cars. It's going to auction, and you get a rock bottom trade in irrespective of nice stamps in a book.

The OP is out of warranty so maintaining a dealer service history is money down the drain IMO

 

[Tara]

I agree with everything you say but some people still prefer it

 

[ChrisJKM]

it depends when you are buying and selling.
If buying new and selling on within warranty then the full dealer service history will matter.

Buying at 3yo and selling at 6yo a FDSH wont matter come trade in time. Dealers don't stock 6 year old cars. It's going to auction, and you get a rock bottom trade in irrespective of nice stamps in a book.

The OP is out of warranty so maintaining a dealer service history is money down the drain IMO

Cheers appreciate the input. Think seat are out the window lol.

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[SRGTD]

I suppose the only real benefit of continuing to use the Seat dealer rather than an independent specialist when a car gets to 3+ years old is that if anything major goes wrong with the car, Seat may make a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repairs. I doubt they’d entertain making a goodwill contribution if the car doesn’t have a full Seat service history.

There’s no guarantee though that Seat would make a goodwill payment even if a car does have a full Seat service history.

 

[seatgraham]

I suppose the only real benefit of continuing to use the Seat dealer rather than an independent specialist when a car gets to 3+ years old is that if anything major goes wrong with the car, Seat may make a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repairs. I doubt they’d entertain making a goodwill contribution if the car doesn’t have a full Seat service history.

There’s no guarantee though that Seat would make a goodwill payment even if a car does have a full Seat service history.

Other advantage for some could be that you get breakdown cover if you get the car serviced at main dealer (can depend if you booked online depending on dealer).

 

[Deleted member 103408]

I suppose the only real benefit of continuing to use the Seat dealer rather than an independent specialist when a car gets to 3+ years old is that if anything major goes wrong with the car, Seat may make a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repairs. I doubt they’d entertain making a goodwill contribution if the car doesn’t have a full Seat service history.

There’s no guarantee though that Seat would make a goodwill payment even if a car does have a full Seat service history.

Like myself the OP has modified the car so that possibility I am afraid is out of the window.

There is no right answer i am afraid as its all about how and who you sell the car to

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Other advantage for some could be that you get breakdown cover if you get the car serviced at main dealer (can depend if you booked online depending on dealer).

Agreed but as I have family cover with RAC / AA (Depending on who is cheapest at renewal) for me this is not a consideration.

I would also point out my local VAG Specialist (and REVO dealer) provides a free curtasy car to me and my local trusted garage is 5 mins down the road where as the Seat Dealer is 40 minutes away.